Press Room » Mumps Outbreak

09/06/2013 at 11:00 AM

The Monmouth County Department of Health today contacted the Borough of Belmar regarding a suspicion of multiple cases of Mumps in Monmouth County and a possible link to D’Jais, a popular bar and grill in Belmar.

“This matter is being handled with great concern and sensitivity by the owners of D’Jais, the Borough and the County of Monmouth.It is absolute necessary to advocate responsible and accurate information regarding these suspected cases.D’Jais and the County of Monmouth are working together on ensuring that workers and patrons are safe and will follow all necessary protocols to ensure the matter is handled responsibly. Nothing is more important than the health and well being of our residents.” said Colleen Connolly, Belmar Business Administrator.

Mumps is a viral disease that is commonly spread by droplets of saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose, or throat of an infected person, usually when the person coughs, sneezes or talks. Items used by an infected person, such as cups or soft drink cans, can also be contaminated with the virus, which may spread to others if those items are shared.

The Borough of Belmar, The County of Monmouth and the owners of D’Jais ask that if you are experiencing the swelling of salivary glands along with fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite you should seek medical attention and call the Health Department at 732-431-7456.

People who were vaccinated with the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine, as an infant and again between the ages of 4 and 6, are 90 percent less likely to contract mumps, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

There are several things you can do to help prevent spreading the virus to others:

·Wash hands well and often with soap, and teach children to wash their hands too.

·Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and put your used tissue in the trash can. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.

·Stay home from work or school for five days after your glands begin to swell, and try not to have close contact with other people who live in your house.